Electric switch



April 28 1936 J. G. PETERSON 2,038,902

ELECTRIC swIT'CH Filed Dec. 20, 1953 ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 28, 1936` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE rcnrzo'rruo swrrcn Johann G. Peterson, West Hartford, Conn.

Application December 20, 1933, Serial No. 703,277

1a claims. (c1. zoo-sv) I co-operating casing member forming the cover;

My invention relates to electric switches. It has among its objects to provide an improved snap switch of the type described and claimed in my previous patent, No. 1,330,390. A further ob- Cil ject of my invention is to provide such an improved switch having an improved construction and arrangement of switch mechanism with respect to the casing members whereby it is made possible to produce an exceedingly compact, simple, inexpensive, and readily assembled construction. A still further object of my invention is to provide such a switch mechanism having improved operating means for the switch mechanism movable in an improved manner relative to the casing by improved operating means adapted to move longitudinally of the casing. Other objects of my invention are to provide improved means for effecting a positive circuit 'breaking movement of the switch blade to prevent sticking, and to provide an improved toggle unit structure, and an improved arrangement of contact carrying means relative to said unit whereby the unit is securely positioned by the positioning of the contact carrying means. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is anenlarged plan view of one casing member with the switch mechanism therein, the other-casing member being removed to facilitate illustration;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig- I ure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an end view of the toggle switch unit removed from the casing; I

Figure 6 is a sectional view on line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a bottom plan of the unit shown in Figures and 6;

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view showing the spring co-nnection and slide in the toggle unit, certain parts being omitted to facilitate illustration;

Figure 9 is a plan View of the casing shown in Figure 1 with switch mechanism and contacts removed to show the casing structure;

Figure 10 is the corresponding plan View 0I the Figurell is a top plan view, actual size, of the complete switch when assembled;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 11 viewed from the side from .which the operating member projects, and

Figure 13 is an end view of the structure shown in Figures 11 and 12.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown my invention as embodied in a through switch comprising vertically divided casing members I and 2 and having a longitudinally reciprocable actuating member 3 at one edge thereof and movable in a slot 4 therebetween to operate improved switch mechanism hereinafter described, and which, with the terminals thereof, is carried on the casing member I, within the same and the casing member 2.

Referring generally to the casing I and switch mechanism thereon, it will be noted that the switch mechanism per se is in the form of a self contained unit of the toggle type operable upon reverse movements of the actuating member 3 to swing a substantially U-shaped movable contact member 5 from the open circuit position, shown in full lines in Figure 1, to the circuit closing position, illustrated in dotted lines therein, and wherein the member 5 engages spaced resilient contact members 6 and 1 which are in turn connected to binding posts 8 and 9, respectively, at opposite ends of the casing I Thus, as the member 3 is moved upward from the position shown 4in Figure 1, the movable contact 5 is swung into the dotted line position to close the circuit, while,

when the member 3 is again moved downward, themember 5 is reversely operated to open the circuit.

Referring more particularly to the structure of the switch unit, it will be noted that the same comprises a frame generally indicated at III. 'I'his frame has a face portion IIV parallel to the path of the member 3 and projecting above the casing member las illustrated irf'Figure 4 and which is also provided with a longitudinal slot I2 in which a reduced shank I3 on the actuating member 3 is movable bodily longitudinally while establishing the opposite limits of travel of the member 3. As shown, it is also provided with opposite right angled side portions I4 each having a notch I5 therein, in which spaced, widened ends I6 of contact member 3 are pivotally mounted,

while inclined faces I1, forming abutments limiting the swinging movements of this member in opposite directions, are also provided at opposite sides of the notches I5. Herein, it will also be noted that the frame is provided with opposite right angled end portions I8 and I 9 spaced longi tudinally from the extremities of the sides I4 and each provided with a lateral extension I3', I9' at the bottom thereof and a slot 20 adjacent its junction with the face portion I I, and through which oppositely projecting reduced ends 2l of diiferent length and formed on a slide 22, are movable in 4difi'erent positions of the slide. Herein, the slide 22 moves parallel to and inside the face portion II and has a slot 23 therein of substantially the size of the shank I3 and through which the inner extremity of the shank I3 of the actuating member 3 extends in such manner as to connect the member and slide 22 for movement together longitudinally of the casing and frame III. Also, a coil spring 24 has one end disposed in a suitable perforation 25 in the end of the shank I3, which protrudes inside the slide, and its other end suitably connected over the opposite end or notched cross bar of the movable switch contact 5. Herein, also it will be notedthat an inwardly extending member or kicker arm 26 is provided (Figs. 4 and 8) on the upper edge of the slide adjacent and above the junction of one of the reduced ends 2|, with the slide body and that the top of the end I9 is. cut away to just below this arm. It will further be noted that the arm is provided with a out away portion 21 in one edge thereof and a rounded end 23 in such manner as to adapt it to engage the adjacent end I6 of the member 5 in one direction of movement of the slide 22 and positively swing the member 5 about its pivot, herein from closed to open position. l

Here also it will be noted that the toggle switch unit is disposed in a suitable chamber 29 in the casing member I with one of its sides I4 resting flat on the bottom thereof and the corresponding end I6 of the member 5 movable in a corresponding V-shaped deeper opening 30, while the lateral extensions I3', I9', on the members I3 and I9 abut shoulders 3| longitudinally spaced from the opening 36. As shown, the projecting ends 2| of the slide are receivable, respectively, in oppositely disposed longitudinal extensions 32 at the opposite side of the chamber 29 from the shoulders 3| and adjacent the inner face of an externally and internally at wall 33 against which the face portion Il is disposed and which also has a slot 34 in which the shank I3 is movable. Herein it will be noted that each of the. ends I8, 'I9 being of different length, i. e. both narrower at the top than at the bottom where the lateral projections I8', I9' are located, the imit will not engage the abutments 3| if placed in the chamber 29 in inverted relation, the parts then obviously iltting so loosely as clearly to indicate that they are not properly positioned, whereas when the wider portions I8',y I9' are down, the unit is very clearly properly positioned in the casing and very securely disposed in that position.

Co-operating with the movable contact member 6 are the contacts 6 and 1, the connections for which also co-operate in positioning the unit in the casing. Thus, it will be noted that the contact 6, which is disposed above the path of travel of the contact 5, is formed on a plate 35 carrying the binding screw 8 and in turn adapted to be disposed in a suitable recess or aperture 36 in the face Qi the casing l and held therein by a screw 31. This screw 31 herein also clamps down an insulating member or sheet 38, generally corresponding in form to a part of the body of the plate 35 and having a portion 39 projecting longi tudinally beyond the latter and over the lateral projection I9'. Thus, when the contact is positioned in .the casing member I bythe screw 31,

the contact portion 3 is not only disposed in the path of the movable contact 3 but the frame I0 is securely held in place by the portion 39 of insulating plate 33. As shown, the other contact 1 which is disposed beneath the contact 3 and spacedtherefrom as illustrated in Figure 4 is also carried by generally similar means including a contact carrying plate 46 carrying the contact 1 and the binding screw 9 and secured by a holding screw 4I which also positions another insulating member 33, identical to that previously described and also having a portion 39 disposed over the lateral projection I9 on the frame III. As shown herein, both contact carrying portions 36 and 40 are mounted in like recessed portions 36 on the casing which are disposed above the bottom oi the recess 29 and suitably apertured and threaded at 42, or provided with a threaded insert, to receive the screws 31, 4I. Further, the contacts 6 and 1 are disposed in a contacting chamber 43, substantially deeper than the recess 29 and also deeper than the recess 30, which herein has a raised curved wall 44 surrounding the same and notches 45 in its ends adjacent the recesses 36, the construction being such that the movable contact 5 is freely movable in this chamber 43 between the contacts 6 and 1 to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 to make the circuit, and away therefrom to break it.

Co-operating with the casing I and enclosing the switch and terminal structure therein is also the casing member 2, which, it will be noted, is generally similar to the member I, being provided with corresponding recesses 29, 30, 32, and a contact chamber, like 43, having a like wall 44, while the recess 29 also is provided with a like wall 33 having alike slot 34 as previously described. This member 2, however, instead of being provided with like abutments 3| as in the casing I, is provided with abutments 46 and 41 differently spaced from the wall 33, and one of which, 41, abuts the upper end of end I9, while the other, 46, provides a cut away portion permitting free movement of the kicker arm 26. Here also it will be noted that the contacting chamber 43 is provided with extensions 43 at its ends, preferably of the same depth as the chamber and disposed in the space occupied by the shallow recess 36 in the casing I, to provide room for the conductors connected to the binding posts 6 and 9.

Attention is also directed to the fact that casing member I is provided with a conductor passage 49 extending around outside the Wall 44 and between the same and the adjacent outer wall 50 of the casing to receive a through conductor. Herein also, laterally extending conductor engaging lugs 5I are provided on the wall 50 which are spaced froxnthe ends of the wall 44 by a less distance than the distance between that wall and the wall 50 at the middle of the casing, all in such manner as to require the through conductor to be squeezed into place and prevent*l pulling out of the through conductor while relieving strain on the other conductors also connected to binding posts 8, 9. In a preferred construction, the casing `member 2 is also provided with generally similar members 5I which co-operate with the lugs 5I in confining the conductor, but extend clear across the space between the walls at the ends of a short passage 49 and press the conductor down between the lugs 5I and the walls, although if desired these members 5I' may be identic with the lugs recess 32.

Il. As shown, conductor es Al2 are alsol ,in a substantially closed contacting chamber proprovided in the ends of both casing l and casing 2 which extend around enlarged connecting screw projections 53 in the ends of the wail 44 in turn adapted to receive usual connecting screws 54 for connecting the casings' together. Herein, also, it

be noted that adjacent these passages 52 are end apertures 55 of a type usual in through switches, wherein one conductor extends without break through the switch casing and the other is cut and has its ends connected to the opposite binding posts 8 and 3 inside the casings.

In the use of my construction, it will be' evident that, with one conductor having ends connected to the binding screws 3, l, and the other extending continuously through the passages 49, and positioned by the members 5I, 5|', the circuit will be closed' by the contact member 5 when in the. dotted line position shown in Figure 1 and opened when in the full line position illustrated therein. More particularly, when the actuating member 3 is moved from the full line position indicated, toward the dotted line position thereof along the flattened external faces of the walls 33, the shank |3- will not only move in the slot 34 in the casing members, but 4also'move in the slot I2 in the face portion I I of the frame I and, through the location of the shank in the aperture 23 in the slide 22, cause the latter to be reciprocated with the member 3. This, in turn, will cause the .end of the spring 24, which is connected at 25 to the shank, to be moved across the pivot I of the contact member 5, to tension the spring, and consequently swing'the contact member 5 about its pivot from the full to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1 and into engagement with the contacts 6, 1, with a snap action, the longer projection 2| of the slide 22 then moving into its During this switch movement, it will be noted that the kicker arm 26, which in the open position of the contact 5 is disposed closelyl adjacent the pivot ofthe latter, moves away from the same in such manner as in no,way to interfere with the operation of the contact. Similarly, when the member 3 is reversely operated, the parts will function to break the circuit in a similar manner, by eiecting a reverse snap movement of the member 5 from the dotted to the full line position, while the shoulders at the base of the shorter projection 2| will then engage the end member I8. During this movement, it will also be noted that the kicker arm 26, moving with the slide 22 before the contact 5 begins to move, is brought into engagement with the upper pivot-ed end I6 of the latter, in such manner as to provide va co-operating swinging means for the' contact 5 21 will prevent interference with the adjacentv portion of the member 5 when, in the subsequent movement of the latter, the contact moves to its oi position and is thus out of contact with the rounded portion 28 onthe kicker arm. Attention is also directed to the fact that the kicker arm 26, due to its connection to the slide 22 and the connection of the latter in the frame ends, will also function to shold the member 5 in this open position. lIt will 'also be observed that due to the co-operatingrecesses in the casing members I and 2, the movable contact member 5 operates vided by the co-operating walled chambers 43 in the members I and 2, while it will also be observed that the insulating plates 38 serve eectually to insulate the terminals from the frame I0.

As a result of my improved construction, it will be observed that the toggle switch unit is adapted to be very readily assembled, the provision of the arms 2| of different length permitting the slide to be readily inserted in and removed from the frame I0, while the shank I3 of the actuating member 3 acts to secure the frame, slide and actuating member in the desired relation ready to receive the contact member in the notches I5, and the parts are readily connected in unitary form by the connection of the spring 24. The unit thus formed is also insertable securely in its predetermined position in the casing I and held therein by engagement with the wall 33 and abutment 3|. It is also further positioned therein by the projecting portions 39 on the insulating plates, while each terminal with its insulating plate is also secured in position by the single holding screw therefor. Attention is also directed to the fact that, when thus assembled, the casing 2 having the corresponding recesses described, not only cooperates efiectually with the recesses in the casing I to enclose and insulate the mechanism, but also provides ample space for the conductors connected to the vterminals and extending through the switch, It will further be particularly noted that the construction is such that a switch of substantial capacity can be provided in exceedingly compact form,Figures 11, 12 and 13, for example,

showing a full sized switch of my improved con-- struction. Moreover, it will be evident that, if desired, the mechanism may be embodied in other switches than through switches by suitably rearranging the terminals and the conductor recesses and passages, while, for example, in a pendant switch, no change in these is necessary, it only being necessary to close one of the end apertures 55. my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown -for purposes of illustration and that the structure may be modied and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the-scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

l. In a switch, an elongated casing longitudinally divided into separate casing members, a toggle switch having a frame supported wholly in one member and enclosed by the other, a swinging toggle contact in said frame movable in planes parallel to the plane of division of said casing to- These and other advantages of" ward and from the opposite ends of said members,

contact operating means having an external operating member and slidably-mounted in said frame, terminals for said swinging contact carried by one of said casing members and located 'at opposite sides respectively of the swinging contact, and

stationary contact arms for cooperating with said swinging contact carried by said terminals and located for simultaneous engagement by said swinging contact when the latter is swung toward one end of the casing.

2. In a switch, an elongated casing longitudinally divided into separate casing members, a frame in said caisipg adjacent one of the longer member slidably mountedV in said frame to move longitudinally of the casing, terminals at opposite sides of said toggle member having' conductor fastening means adjacent the respective ends of the casing, means for securing said terminals to one of said casing members, and contact arms projecting from the respective terminals and behind said frarne and having contact portions adapted to be engaged simultaneously by opposite side edge portions of said swinging contact member when the latter is swung towardone end of the casing.

3. In a switch, an elongated casing longitudi-V nallydivided into separate casing members, a frame in said casing adjacent one of the longer side walls thereof and having a front member with a slottherein directedlengthwise of the casing, said frame having inwardly projecting side members, one disposed in one of the casing members and the other in the other casing member, a swinging toggle contact' member pivoted in recesses in said side members to swing in planes parallel to the plane of division of the casing, a slide plate reciprocably mounted in said frame to move lengthwise of the casing, an operating member extending through the slot in the front member of the frame and throughsaid slide plate, a spring 1 connecting said operating member with the free end portion of said swinging toggle contact, and terminal members xed in one casing member andbetween which said frame is interposed, said terminal members having projecting contact arms simultaneously `engageable by the end portion of said swinging contact member. said contact arms having contact portions disposed in the respective casing members.

4. In a, switch, an elongated casing longitudinally divided into separate casing members, a frame in said casing extending into both of the casing members and disposed adjacent one of the longer walls of the casing, said frame having a front member with a longitudinal slot, end members with slots therein, and side members having angular recesses, a swinging toggle contact member pivotally mounted inthe angular recesses of said side .members to swing in planes parallel to the plane of division of said casing, a slide plate having end portions engaging the slots in the end` members of said frame, said slide plate being disposed within the front member of the frame, an arm on said slide plate adapted to engage said swinging contact member, an .operating member extending through the slot in said front member and connected to said slide plate, a spring connecting the free end portion of said swinging contact member with said operating member, and terminals including conductor plates mounted between the ends of the casing and the frame and having contact arms adapted to be engaged by the free end portion of said swinging contact member.

` 5. In a switch, an elongated casing divided longitudinally into separate members, a frame in said casing adjacent one of the longer sides, a swinging contact member pivotally mounted in said frame to swing toward the ends of the casing in planes parallel to the plane of division of said casing, an operating member projecting out of the casing at said longer side and adapted to actuate said contact member, terminals at opposite sides of said swinging contact member, fixed contact members connected to said terminals adapted to be engaged by the'free end portion of said swinging contact member, and an inner wall in said casing extending generally lengthwise thereof in spaced relation to the outer side wall opposite said operating member so as to create on the outer side of said inner wall. a conduit for a through conductor and on its inner side a chamber enclosing the switch contactssaid inner wall being adjacent the free end of said swinging contact member and being extended at its ends to enclose substantial portions of said terminals.

6. Inga switch,` a movable contact toggle unit comprising a frame bent up from a metal plate and having a front member with a longitudinal slot, inwardly projecting end members, and inwardly projecting side members having angular recesses therein, said end members being provided with elongated slots in a plane parallel to that of the front member, a slide plate located inside the front member and having ends of reduced width engaging the slots in said end members, a toggle lever having one end engaging the angular recesses in the side members of the frame, an operating member having a shank disposed in the slot in the front member of the frame and engaging the slide to actuate the same, a spring connecting the free end portion of said toggle lever with the operating member, and an arm projecting from said slide plate at one of the side edges thereof and adapted to engage and move said toggle lever.

'7. In a switch, a movable contact toggle unit comprising a frame having a front member provided with a longitudinal slot, end members projecting inwardly from the iront member at the ends of said frame vhaving slots\therein, and side members projecting inwardly from said front member and having angular recesses therein, a slide plate located inside the front member and having reduced end portions engaging the slots in said end members, a toggle lever engaging the angular recesses in said side members', an operat- 'ing member having a shank extending through the slot in said front, member and whose movement is limited by said slot, said shank extending through an opening in said slide plate and adapted to reciprocate said slide plate, and a spring connecting the free end portion of said toggle lever with the inner end of the shank of said operating member, said spring being detachably connected to said shank, said shank being removable from said slide plate and from the frame uponY disconnection of said spring, and said slide plate being removable from said frame upon the removal of said operating member.

8. In a toggle switch unit, a frame having end and side members and a front member, the end members of said frame having closed slots therein, a toggle member pivotally mounted in said side members, a slide wholly supported in said frame having reduced ends of different lengths engaging said slots whereby said slide is reciprocably mounted in said end members, and an operating member extending through a slot in said front member and an opening in said slide and resiliently connected to said toggle member, said reduced ends of different length'permitting said slide to be readily assembled in said frame.

9. Ina toggle switch unit, a frame having end and side members and a front member, a toggle member pivotally mounted in said side members,

end portions of reduced width engaging closed slots in the end members of said frame, and an operating member extending through said slide and resiliently connected to said toggle member,

said frame having in the front member thereof a slot throughwhich said operating member extends and which limits movement of said operating member and said slide in one direction.

10. In a switch, cooperating longitudinally divided casing members, line terminals carried by one of said casing members, switch mechanism in said casing between said terminals and positioned on said member by said terminals, and operating means on said mechanism having a longitudinally reciprocable slide therein and a laterally projecting operating member movable with said slide between said members.

1,1. In a switch, cooperating longitudinally divided casing members cooperating to present a contacting chamber, switch mechanism carried by said casing including a frame having a movable contact member comprising a swinging toggle in said contacting chamber, cooperating stationary contact members carried by said casing, an external operating member, a slide between said member and said toggle, and terminal mounting means for said switch mechanism positioning said frame.

12. In a switch, cooperating longitudinally divided casing members, switch mechanism' carried wholly by one of said members including a frame having frame positioning lug means thereon posed normal to the plane oi division of said members, a switch operating member operable from the exterior of said casing members in a plane parallel with the line of division of said casing members, and terminal mounting means carried on said mechanism supporting casing member including frame-securing insulating plates disposed in a plane parallel to said line of division and overlying the edges oi said lug means.

13. In a switch, complemental longitudinally divided casing members, one of which constitutes thesole support for the switch, a switch frame disposable in said supporting member having spaced frame positioning projections, a movable contact member pivoted in said frame, an oper` ating member supported in said frame and operatively connected to said movable contact member and movable in a plane parallel to the plane of division of said casing members, terminal members having stationary contact members disposable in .said supporting member in position to cooperate with said movablezcontact member, common frame and terminal securing means disposed transversely to the plane of movement o f said switch operating member for detachably securing said parts in the aforesaid relationship in the other casing member to said supporting member for enclosing said switch.

JOHANN G. PETERSON.

' said supporting member, and means i'or securing 

